Oceania’s newest ship, Oceania Allura, is the latest addition to the fleet, and our Marketing Manager, Blake, recently had the opportunity to step onboard for a short three-night showcase sailing from Miami. This cruise was designed to give a firsthand look at what guests can expect when sailing on Oceania’s newest ship, from the staterooms and dining through to the overall onboard experience.
If you are considering an Oceania cruise, this review will help you decide if Allura is the right fit for you. You can check out all of our Oceania cruise deals on our website or chat with one of our Tour + Cruise Specialists to start planning your Oceania cruise.
Keep reading to find out Blake’s honest take on what it is like to sail on Oceania’s newest ship, Allura.
Welcome Aboard
We boarded Allura at the Port of Miami, using a dedicated terminal for the ship. The terminal was quiet, easy to navigate and refreshingly stress-free. I boarded around 1 pm, and there were no lines at security or check-in. Not having to share the terminal with multiple ships made a noticeable difference.
Walking straight onboard, the first impression was elegant and refined. Oceania has kept the familiar internal flow that guests know and love from the Marina and the Riviera [read our Oceania Riviera review here], but elevated it with more modern finishes. The interiors feature soft neutral tones, brushed gold accents, beautiful lighting and thoughtful fabric choices. It feels luxurious without being overdone. After boarding, we were welcomed on board and encouraged to explore the ship before heading to our stateroom. Several dining options were already open, which made it a great time to get familiar with the layout and enjoy lunch. Shortly after, staterooms were announced as ready, and my luggage was already waiting in my room.
Stateroom on Oceania Allura
I stayed in a Concierge Level balcony stateroom on Deck 9, and the welcome was exactly what you would expect from Oceania. A chilled bottle of prosecco was waiting in the room, which is always a lovely touch. The stateroom felt spacious and well designed, with a king bed dressed in beautiful bedding, a lounge and coffee table, a desk and sliding doors leading out to a private balcony. The minibar was fully stocked with non alcoholic beverages and restocked daily. There was also a reusable water bottle and Vero water replenished in the room each day. Storage was generous, with a wardrobe, safe, plush robes, slippers and an umbrella provided. Everything felt considered and practical for a longer cruise.
The bathroom layout is slightly different to the Riviera balcony staterooms but still very spacious by cruise standards. There is a large walk-in shower, a generous vanity and a beautiful round light-up mirror. A notable change is the introduction of Oceania’s Aquamar bath products, replacing the previous Bvlgari amenities. These spa-grade products are subtly scented and aesthetically suit the overall design of the space perfectly.
As a concierge-level room, you also get complimentary laundry/dry cleaning service. Given that my cruise was only a three-day cruise, I didn’t use this service, but it’s a great addition to have. Oceania ships do have a free self-service laundry on most stateroom levels, but there is nothing like having your clothes laundered, pressed and delivered back to your room without thinking about it.
Dining Onboard Oceania
Oceania is well known for having some of the best food at sea, and Allura certainly delivers. There are four speciality restaurants, all included in the cruise fare, and guests are encouraged to dine at each one throughout their voyage.
The speciality restaurants onboard are:
- Polo Grill – The steakhouse restaurant
- Toscana – Italian cousiene
- Red Ginger – Asian-fusion inspired food
- Jacques – The French restaurant
For this cruise, I was pre-booked into Red Ginger, which continues to be a standout favourite. The food was exceptional as always, with highlights including the lobster pad Thai and the soft shell crab bao buns.
On the second night, I dined in the Grand Dining Room, which is equally impressive. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with no assigned seating. You simply arrive and are seated as you would be in a land-based restaurant. My main was the sticky barbecue duck with steamed vegetables, and it did not disappoint. On the final night, I dined at Jacques, the French restaurant, which was a highlight of the cruise. Favourites included the rare beef tartare, escargot, goat’s cheese soufflé and lamb shanks. Service throughout the meal was first class, with knowledgeable wait staff and a sommelier regularly attending the table to suggest wine pairings or top up glasses.
For more casual dining, Terrace Cafe is the buffet dining option and remains a favourite. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a great option for an easy meal at any time of day. New additions on Allura include Aquamar Kitchen, offering lighter and healthier options near the pool, as well as a new creperie and waffle venue. The ever-popular Baristas cafe is still onboard, now with improved and larger seating areas and a more thoughtful layout to better accommodate guests. Poolside, Waves Grill serves burgers, pizzas and classic favourites.
Plus, with 24-hour room service included, you will never go hungry onboard Allura. I honestly ordered room service breakfast every day. In my opinion, there is no better way to wake up than having breakfast delivered to your room, sitting on the balcony in your robe and easing into the day. That, to me, is what a proper holiday feels like.
Oceania Pool Deck and Sports Deck
The pool deck follows a familiar design seen on Riviera and other Oceania ships, with a central pool, surrounding whirlpools and plenty of loungers across Decks 12 and 14 overlooking the pool area. A pool bar completes the space and adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side during the sea day, with rain keeping the deck quieter than usual. On sunnier sailings, this space would easily become a hub of activity, often with live music or a DJ playing throughout the day. The sports deck includes a pickleball court, putting greens, a driving range net, cornhole games and a small walking track, offering plenty of options for guests who like to stay active at sea.
Theatre and Entertainment
The theatre onboard Allura is a welcome return to form, with comfortable seating and a generous stage. The onboard cast impressed us with several shows during the cruise, showcasing strong vocals and polished production. Martinis is one of my favourite venues onboard, with its central bar and live pianist each evening. Sitting back with a martini while enjoying classic piano favourites is a simple pleasure and one of the most enjoyable entertainment options on the ship.
Up on Deck 14, Horizons serves as the main evening bar and dance floor. This space has been redesigned to feel more intimate and better laid out than on Riviera. It is a theme you see throughout the ship, where spaces feel more open and comfortable without losing their sense of luxury. Horizons typically hosts a live cover band each night, with music ranging from ABBA through to contemporary favourites. Daytime activities are plentiful, including culinary classes, art classes, guest lectures, trivia, dance classes, gym sessions and more. The culinary classes are a standout experience and something I have personally enjoyed on a previous Oceania cruise.
Spa and Gym on Oceania Allura
With this being a short cruise, I did not get the chance to fully experience the spa and gym, but I did take time to explore the facilities. The gym is a good size with brand new equipment, a definite perk of sailing on a new ship. The spa is extensive, offering a wide range of treatments from massages through to cosmetic services. There are also redesigned dry saunas and steam rooms available for guests, with separate facilities for men and women. Both spaces looked modern, spacious and very inviting. Concierge Level and suite guests also have access to the private spa deck at the front of the ship. This quieter area features a large whirlpool, an additional smaller whirlpool, heated tiled loungers and private sunbeds. It is a lovely retreat away from the busier main pool deck.
Final Thoughts of Oceania Allura
Oceania Allura is a beautiful addition to the Oceania fleet. The ship feels familiar yet refreshed, with thoughtful design improvements, excellent dining and a calm, refined atmosphere throughout. From the spacious staterooms to the elevated public spaces, it is clear that a lot of care has gone into making this ship both luxurious and comfortable.
If you are considering an Oceania cruise, Allura is an outstanding choice and delivers exactly what the brand is known for.
Explore all of our current Oceania cruise deals on our website, or get in touch with one of our Tour + Cruise Specialists to start planning your next Oceania journey.
